Multifunctional storage box

ABSTRACT

A multifunctional storage box includes a frame-like elementary unit composed of two horizontal boards and two vertical boards and a positioning piece fit to an end of the elementary unit. Each vertical board includes first and board segments that are connected to each other by a movable connection member. The elementary unit has an end forming a positioning structure, whereby the positioning piece is selectively fit to the positioning structure to form a box for receiving and storing various articles, or a number of such boxes can be stacked to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet and desk. No tool is required and the assembling is easy and convenient. When not in use, the positioning piece is removed to allow the first and second board segments to be folded by means of the connection member into a flat configuration for easy carrying and storage.

(a) TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a multifunctional storage box, and more particularly to a multifunctional storage box that, after being properly assembled, can receive and store various articles, or can be stacked in multiplicity to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet, and desk, or can be folded into a flat configuration for easy carrying and storage when not in use.

(b) DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

A storage box that functions to receive and store articles therein is often composed of a basic frame made of wood or plastics and a plurality of shelves that forms storage spaces for receiving and storing articles. The conventional storage box, although allowing a user to assemble by himself or herself is of a fixed structure that prevents the box to be folded when not in use so that the storage box occupies a large amount of space and is difficult to carry. Although disassembling the storage box may be helpful in addressing these problems, yet it would be a tedious job for re-assembling is time consuming. Further, the conventional storage box is often used as an individual stand-alone device and cannot be stacked or juxtaposed in multiplicity to show a different form of utility. The present invention thus aims to provide an improved storage box structure that can be used as a stand-alone device or can be stacked in multiplicity to show another form of utility.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a multifunctional storage box, which after being properly assembled, can receive and store various articles, or alternatively be stacked in multiplicity to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet, and desk, or further alternatively, be folded to a flat configuration to facilitate carrying and storage when not in use.

The multifunctional storage box comprises a frame-like elementary unit composed of two horizontal boards and two vertical boards and a positioning piece fit to an end of the elementary unit. The two vertical boards are each composed of first and board segments that are connected to each other. The first and second board segments comprise a movable connection member coupling therebetween. The elementary unit has an end forming a positioning structure, whereby the positioning piece is selectively fit to the positioning structure to form a box for receiving and storing various articles, or alternatively, a number of such boxes can be stacked to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet and desk. No tool is required and the assembling is easy and convenient. When not in use, the positioning piece can be removed to allow the first and second board segments to be folded by means of the connection member into a flat configuration for easy carrying and storage.

In the previously discussed structure of multifunctional storage box, the positioning structure of the elementary unit comprises a notch formed in an end of one horizontal board, a slide slot formed in and vertically extending along an inside surface of each of the vertical boards at a location corresponding to the notch, and mounting holes corresponding to the notch. The positioning piece has a top edge forming a flat flange substantially aligning the notch. The flat flange forms through holes corresponding to the mounting holes, whereby with the positioning piece being received and vertically sliding down along the slide slots, pins are received through the through holes and fit into the mounting holes to secure the positioning piece in position.

In the previously discussed structure of multifunctional storage box, the positioning structure of the elementary unit comprises steps formed at ends of the horizontal boards and the vertical boards and symmetrically arranged fitting grooves formed in the steps to receive a flat board like positioning piece to be first positioned on the steps and then receive retention pieces to fit into the fitting grooves for holding corners of the positioning piece and thereby retaining the positioning piece in position.

The foregoing objectives and summary provide only a brief introduction to the present invention. To fully appreciate these and other objects of the present invention as well as the invention itself, all of which will become apparent to those skilled in the art, the following detailed description of the invention and the claims should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Throughout the specification and drawings identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar parts.

Many other advantages and features of the present invention will become manifest to those versed in the art upon making reference to the detailed description and the accompanying sheets of drawings in which a preferred structural embodiment incorporating the principles of the present invention is shown by way of illustrative example.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2 and 3 demonstrate an application of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 demonstrates another application of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 demonstrates a further application of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 demonstrates yet a further application of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a third embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 demonstrates an application of the third embodiment according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following descriptions are exemplary embodiments only, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the following description provides a convenient illustration for implementing exemplary embodiments of the invention. Various changes to the described embodiments may be made in the function and arrangement of the elements described without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1, which is a perspective view showing a first embodiment according to the present invention, the present invention comprises a rectangular frame like elementary unit 1 composed of two horizontal boards 11 and two vertical boards 12 and a positioning piece 2 fit to an end of the elementary unit 1. The vertical board 12 comprises a first board segment 121 and a second board segment 122 that are connected to each other. The first and second board segments 121, 122 comprise movable connection members 3 connecting therebetween and in the instant embodiment, the connection member 3 comprises a hinge or other movable connection elements.

The elementary unit 1 has an end forming a positioning structure 4. In the first embodiment, the positioning structure 4 comprises a notch 111 formed in an end of one horizontal board 11, a slide slot 13 formed in and vertically extending along an inside surface of each of the vertical boards 12 at a location corresponding to the notch 111, and mounting holes 14 corresponding to the notch. The positioning structure 4 comprises a positioning piece 2, which has a top edge forming a flat flange 21 substantially aligning the notch 111. The flat flange 21 forms through holes 22 corresponding to the mounting holes 14, whereby with the positioning piece 2 being received and vertically sliding down along the slide slots 13, pins 23 are received through the through holes 22 and fit into the mounting holes 14 to secure the positioning piece 2 in position.

Through assembling the above discussed components, a multifunctional storage box is formed for receiving and storing therein various articles. Alternatively, a number of such storage boxes can be stacked to form a piece of furniture, such as a drawer, a closet, and a desk, without use of any tool, whereby the assembling is simplified. When not in use, the positioning piece 2 can be removed, and with the aid of the movable connection members 3, the first and second board segments 121, 122 can be folded inward to form a flat configuration, which helps carrying and storage.

Also referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, an application of the first embodiment is demonstrated. As shown in the drawings, after being assembled, the storage box of the present invention may receive and retain therein a rack 5, on which various articles (as shown in FIG. 2) can be placed. Or, alternatively, the storage box may receive and retain therein a suspension frame 6 for storing glasses 7 in a suspended fashion.

Referring to FIG. 4, another application of the first embodiment of the present invention is demonstrated. As shown in the drawing, after properly assembled, a plurality of storage boxes according to the present invention can be stacked and fixed together and additional storage boxes that are of a different size and provided with a handle are respectively received in the stacked storage boxes to form a plurality of drawers. As such, a chest of a desired height can be formed, of which the storage boxes that serve as the drawers may receive and storage clothes or other articles therein.

Referring to FIG. 5, a further application of the first embodiment according to the present invention is demonstrated. As shown in the drawing, a storage box according to the present invention that is made of a large size is formed in edges of an opening thereof with recessed channels 15, and a T-shaped positioning strip 16 is selectively fit into each of the recessed channels 15. A plurality of pins 23 is inserted through the storage box and the positioning strips 16 to structurally support the storage box for serving as a closet, whereby clothes or accessory of clothes can be suspended in the storage box that serves as a closet.

Referring to FIG. 6, a further application of the first embodiment according to the present invention is demonstrated. As shown, after properly assembled, a number of the storage boxes according to the present invention can be stacked and fixed together. Additional storage boxes of a different size and provided with a handle are respectively received in the stacked storage boxes to serve as drawers. A top board 8 may then be positioned on and supported by two stacks of the storage boxes to form a desk.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a perspective view and a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment according to the present invention are shown. As shown in the drawings, the positioning structure 4 of the elementary unit 1 according to the present invention can be arranged to form steps 112, 123 at ends of the horizontal boards 11 and the vertical boards 12 of the elementary unit 1 and also forming symmetrically arranged fitting grooves 113, 124 in the steps 112, 123 to receive a flat board like positioning piece 2 to be first positioned on the steps 112, 123 and then receive retention pieces 9 to fit into the fitting grooves 113, 124 for holding corners of the positioning piece and thereby retaining the positioning piece 2 in position.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, a perspective view of a third embodiment according to the present invention and an application thereof are respectively shown. As shown in the drawings, an L-shaped retention piece 10 is selectively applied to secure and fix each corner of the elementary unit 1 according to the present invention, thereby making the elementary unit 1 an open hollow rectangular frame. A number of such elementary units 1 are then stacked vertically and juxtaposed horizontally to thereby form a hollow article support rack having open front and rear sides.

In summary, the present invention comprises an elementary unit composed of horizontal boards and vertical boards, incorporating with positioning pieces attached to the elementary unit, to form a multifunctional storage box, which after proper assembling, may receive and store various articles therein, or alternatively, a number of such storage boxes may be stacked to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet, and desk. When not in use, the storage box can be folded to a flat configuration for easy carrying and storage.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above.

While certain novel features of this invention have been shown and described and are pointed out in the annexed claim, it is not intended to be limited to the details above, since it will be understood that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation can be made by those skilled in the art without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. 

1. A multifunctional storage box, comprising an elementary unit comprising two horizontal boards and two vertical boards and a positioning piece fit to an end of the elementary unit, wherein each of the vertical boards comprises a first board segment and a second board segment, a movable connection member coupling between the first and second board segments, the elementary unit having an end forming a positioning structure to receive a positioning piece to fit thereto to form the multifunctional storage box, which is adapted to receive and store various article, or is stackable in multiplicity to form a piece of furniture, such as drawer, closet, and desk, or allows the positioning piece to be removed and the first and second board segments be folded by means of the movable connection member into a flat configuration for easy carrying and storage.
 2. The multifunctional storage box according to claim 1, wherein connection member coupling between the first board segment and the second board segment of the vertical board comprises a hinge.
 3. The multifunctional storage box according to claim 1, wherein the positioning structure comprises a notch formed in an end of one horizontal board, a slide slot formed in and vertically extending along an inside surface of each of the vertical boards at a location corresponding to the notch, and mounting holes corresponding to the notch, the positioning piece having a top edge forming a flat flange substantially aligning the notch, the flat flange forming through holes corresponding to the mounting holes, whereby with the positioning piece being received and vertically sliding down along the slide slots, pins are received through the through holes and fit into the mounting holes to secure the positioning piece in position.
 4. The multifunctional storage box according to claim 1, wherein the positioning structure comprises steps formed at ends of the horizontal boards and the vertical boards and symmetrically arranged fitting grooves formed in the steps to receive a flat board like positioning piece to be first positioned on the steps and then receive retention pieces to fit into the fitting grooves for holding corners of the positioning piece and thereby retaining the positioning piece in position. 